Sushil Kumar vs Narsingh Yadav debate to be settled soon

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is likely to meet on Tuesday to settle the ongoing tussle between Sushil Kumar and Narsingh Yadav for the Olympic berth.

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India Today Web Desk

New Delhi

May 13, 2016

UPDATED: May 13, 2016 20:43 IST

Narsingh Yadav (Left) had secured the Olympic quota place for India last year at the World Championship in Las Vegas. (Reuters Photos)

The Wrestling Federation of India (WFI) is likely to meet on Tuesday to take a final call to whether or not hold trials between Sushil Kumar and Narsingh Yadav for deciding who among them would go to Rio.

The meet is aimed to break the deadlock, which is threatening to snowball into a massive furore.

With Sushil having written letters to both the Sports Ministry as well as the WFI, his case is likely to be referred to the selection committee, which in turn will decide whether to hold the trials. The 32-year-old is contemplating approaching Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal if his demand for a trial is not accepted by WFI.

"On Tuesday, the selection committee would be asked to consider the request of Sushil, who has written a letter, asking for a trial. Then it would be up to the selection committee to decide whether to hold the trials and whatever it decides, the Federation would be okay with it," informed the official.

Narsingh had secured the Olympic quota place for India last year at the World Championship in Las Vegas after winning a bronze in 74kg category. Since then the Maharashtra grappler has been staking his claim for the berth, while double Olympic-medallist Sushil, who missed the event owing to a shoulder injury, has asked for a trial to determine who ultimately represents India at the Rio Games.

There is speculation that the Federation is not too keen on holding the trail in men's 74kg freestyle category as it might prompt a few other wrestlers to demand trials in other weight divisions as well.